Monthly Archives: March 2013

In the last couple of weeks, the issue of water has been at the forefront of the information that jumps out at me. Its kind of an odd thing actually. One thing led to another and next thing I know, its worth putting things together.

Two weeks ago, a local email group sent out the message that there is a Mississippi River Water Walk going on. A group of Native American women were starting at the headwaters of the great river and going by foot to the Gulf of Mexico. Could we help them out when they are in the area? The women are carrying a GPS with them so their whereabouts can be tracked on most days via Facebook. I know, I know. Most of us hate F.B. most of the time but its a good medium for events like this.

The F.B. page posted a link to a radio interview with members of this group which can be found here. Its quite interesting.

Then a few days later I found myself in my doctors office (another story) and she was telling me how her dads an engineer and she wouldn’t be here next week because she is going to Guatemala with him to help set up safe drinking water.

The main thing is that there is something in all of this that made me feel different about myself. My heart moved for the walkers and I really want to go out there and meet them with some fruit for their journey (or something else, not sure what) and perhaps hobble along for a short walk myself. Perhaps next year, I can be well enough to join the on a longer journey. Who knows.

Please pass this information around because even though the walk I speak of is exclusive to the Mississippi, this river spills out to the Gulf of Mexico and the water moves from there to beyond. There are walkers all over the world from what I have understood so far, some are indigenous others are not, it doesn’t matter. Its a one world issue.

Part of my lack of blog time lately is because I am researching for a business plan. I was given a business planner by the Department of Rehabilitation and she is amazing but it’s my dream so I have to put in elbow grease regardless.

This has been very good because in the process of researching, I have actually landed one major client and possibly a second client that is in Chicago. Infact, if I land that client, I would try for two more leads and that would just about cover my need for contract farming.

Another great thing about business planning is the evolution that my herbal business underwent out of neccessity. I wanted to just grow Chinese herbs but most of these take a few years to harvest. I had to diversify.

And that’s how I came to recognize myself as an herbalist at long last- no more denying it. Yesterday, I spent time with a woman who is an herbalist and permaculture designer. She made me see that I was not a novice. That I had my own style as an herbalist.and that others are afraid to offer products at first too…yes, I was/will be afraid! It’s normal! But it’s a part of my identity that needs recognition.

My iPad is acting quirky and I feel that I’m speaking in shorthand here as a result…my official business name is Prairie Rose Asian Herbs btw….website will launch eventually:)

Last month, one hospital forgave nearly all of my 50,000 debt and gave me in house insurance for the next year at a rate of 97.5 -my discount. They also gave me half off of doctors visits. This leaves me with around 1000 to pay for services rendered for doctors visits.

I still had the 250,500 bill from the other hospital, a 1600 dollar ambulance bill and my chemo pump rental bill plus upcoming visits for follow ups to worry about. This kind of debt feels terrible.No amount of positive thinking made it better.

But two days ago, I got a letter from this hospital forgiving my entire debt! 250,500 wiped out through the generosity of their financial aid board. I nearly fainted with relief.

The trick for those out there who are uninsured in America, is to find hospitals that are not for profits. These entities are required to provide financial aid up to 100 percent off based on need.

I was very worried that they would reject me because our Amish friends were asked to pay 30,000 of a 80,000 bill and they made 10,000 last year…8,000 less than us. But we have the paper trail to prove it and they don’t I suppose.

I feel so much better! Lighter. And am so grateful for this gift!

about the title

a finjan is a coffee or tea cup in arabic. more specifically its a cup used to first drink turkish coffee and then read the remaining grinds. my granny m. was very good at this unless it came to me. when she read my cup-over and over again-she saw wedding bells and then later on many children. good things. so i write here about my life in the hopes that she was right about me.